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Ross D. Franklin / AP
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and Ron Barber celebrate early Tuesday.
Updated at 12:54 a.m. ET: Democrat Ron Barber has won a special House election in southern Arizona to finish the term of former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, The Associated Press projected.
Giffords, who was critically injured in a Jan. 2011 event in her district, resigned earlier this year.
A former aide to Giffords, Barber, who was also injured in the attack outside a supermarket that left six dead and 12 others injured, faced a challenge from Jesse Kelly, a Republican who narrowly lost to Giffords in the 2010 midterm elections.
The campaign was imbued with emotions that still linger from the attack, which forced Giffords’s retirement – despite remarkable progress toward recovery – earlier this year. But the special election campaign has also assumed a degree of political significance, given each party’s aggressive efforts to win the seat.
Bruising battle
The race evolved into a bruising battle between Kelly and Barber, fueled by hundreds of thousands of dollars of outside spending in the campaign. The district will be redrawn for this fall’s election, slightly in Democrats’ favor. But Giffords first won accolades for her political resiliency in a district that Republicans have won in the previous three presidential elections.
Democrats focused their resources on painting Kelly as an extremist who would seek radical changes to Medicare and Social Security even well beyond what most House Republicans had voted for in Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s budgets the past two years.
House Majority PAC, a Democratic super PAC, released one particularly effective ad featuring video of Kelly talking about eliminating corporate taxes and calling Social Security and Medicare Ponzi schemes.
Giffords herself made several public appearances in the past week – along with her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly – pushing for her onetime aide.
Democrat Ron Barber speaks to supporters after winning the House seat previously occupied by Gabrielle Giffords.
A loss for Democrats would have threatened another demoralizing loss, though, on the heels of Republicans Gov. Scott Walker’s survival of a recall campaign last week in Wisconsin.
Both sides will inevitably spin the results of Tuesday’s primary as a harbinger for their chances come November, though the ultimate takeaways from this race might actually be more limited.
Testing ground for attacks
Democrats’ path toward retaking the majority in the House never ran through this seat, which they had controlled since Giffords first won in 2008. Barber will have to stand for re-election in November, and Republicans – including Kelly – vow to contest that race, too. But the district will favor Democrats more slightly, and it’s not clear how inclined that national Republicans will feel to invest heavily in that campaign.
But the race against Kelly provided Democrats in Washington a testing ground for their attacks against Republicans this fall associated with Medicare and Social Security.
Additionally, Republicans gained traction versus Barber by trying to tie him to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and President Obama.
Barber had hedged for a period on whether he would support Pelosi as Democrats’ leader as elected, and he similarly punted on a May question about whether he would even vote for Obama. (Barber later clarified that he intended to vote for the president in November.)
But the fact that a Democratic candidate would feel the need to distance himself from Obama in Arizona raises questions about the viability of the president’s effort to win that state this fall. The Obama campaign has included Arizona in several of its Electoral College roadmaps; the state is rated Lean Republican in NBC News’ battleground map.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Getting really sick of all of the liberal fawning over Giffords. It was a liberal loon that shot her and killed others but all you ever hear about is her. Oddly enough, if you go to Youtube and see her speeches and actions prior to the event, she didn't make much sense then either.
Proudamericanveteran,
Why are you so filled with hate?
COME ON PROUD LUNATIC , GIVE UP THE CRITICISM ; don't you still have a little decentcy left in your heart ???? politics doesn't matter right now , so stop trying to save the REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE CLOSET POLYGAMIST PARTY WITH ALL OF YOUR ENBREAD HATRED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vet-
Calm down.
It is not only Democrats. Did you see the big GOP cry baby who accepted her resignation?
I read there that both sides will try to spin the outcome, not matter who wins. What's new....
I'm really interested to see what happens in North Dakota about the abolishment of property taxes in that state... ONLY wish it was Illinois as my property taxes have risen 29% in the last 3 years, only my income was up 5 % in that same time period!
But the fact that a Democratic candidate would feel the need to distance himself from Obama in Arizona raises questions about the viability of the president’s effort to win that state this fall.
Probably not the last, with the Wisconsin recall cold shoulder that Obama has given, many Democrats are quite upset with him lately.
The person who shot Giffords was psychotic, and neither liberal or conservative.
Why is it that some Republicans have no heart, sympathy or empathy? Is this where "rugged individualism" is going? If so, I want no part of it.
Good luck in the election, the people will decide.
Loughner was a liberal just as McVeigh was a conservative. There are crazies on both sides. Loughner was an animal rights guy and an environmentalist. He said he shot Giffords because he was mad at her for being so moderate, a Blue Dog, on her voting.
My point exactly.. the people will decide. I am not against Giffords but I am tired of them (DNC and the media) gushing over her. Have a heart? What about the others that were injured and killed? It seems that their suffering has been ignored.
Comments like "her shoes will be hard to fill". Give me a break N one had heard of the woman until she was shot. Doubtful that more than a handful of people in Arizona knew who she was. Her shoes won't be hard to fill. Look at her Congressional Record, she was a non-entity in Congress. Tragically getting shot made her more of a celebrity that serving in Congress.
Proud, quit while your behind. If the DNC is "gushing" over her, it might because she took a bullet, barely survived, and is coming back. Give your hate a rest, just for a moment.
Barber (D) is +12 against Kelly (R) in the Gifford's replacement race.
Just so you know, Loughner was a registered independent.
Crazy is crazy.
If you wanna play the 'ignore the injured' then how about the Republicans stop fawning all over Reagan. He was injured and came back from it. I remember all kinds of 'gushing and fawning all over Reagan' when he was shot....
Or is the real problem that it's 'gushing and fawning' over a democrat?
100 to 1 odds the only real issue you have is that she's a dem and that YOU would be 'gushing and fawning' if she were republican.
And it's a HUGE public interest story whether you like it or not. It's go little to do with her being a politician and a lot to do with her being an assasination survivor.
The political race has a huge impact on the state and the makeup of Congress, so that's why this race is in the news. Tie that to the fact that the political race is for her former seat and you've got double the interest.
If you're not interested, stop reading the news stories about her. And stop wasting our time.
@Proudamericanveteran, got it, you're a Republican. Live with the fact that Giffords is more than you wanted her to be. Her shoes will be difficult to fill, regardless of your opinion.
Giffords was only the 3rd woman elected in Arizona history to be elected to Congress. She considered herself a "Blue Dog" Democrat and a "Former Republican". She pushed for bills to improve mental health services in the state. In 2004, she was named, "Mental Health Association of Arizona as the 2004 Legislator of the Year". She worked on bipartisan legislation to improve education and health care for children. She was awarded the Arizona Family Literacy's Outstanding Legislator for 2003.
Her election bid in 2006 was recognized by Tom Daschle, Robert Reich, Janet Napolitano, and Bill Clinton.
You would lose Marine. It was Brady that the media covered. It was also Brady who later fought for tougher gun control and it was Brady who stood Bill Clinton when he signed the Brady Bill. If you were old enough to remember the media was mroe concerned with the mis-statement of the Secretary of State than the injured. In fact the DEMS wanted a Congressional Inquiry.
BTW Marine, her biggest concern about the conflict in Afghanistan was the "carbon footprint".
The real item that needs to be looked at,,and nobody seems to be looking..is the effect of outside of state money..for an election that should only involve those residents in that state. In Wisconson we have already seen to effect of outside money...and it looks as though outside money will elect the next president...we as voters seem to be voting for the ones spending the most per election..not as to whether or not the person running should hold that sit. If that turns out to be the case ..then it is going to be interesting to see just how far the republicans will go toward ruining this nation..Bush put us in huge debt...and now the republicans are pushing the same agendas again...guess this nation learned nothing from those years. With Bush and his agenda we lost 500k in jobs per month..can hardly wait to see how many more are lost if antoher republican is elected.
Eric... I appreciate you taking the time to post all of those Mayor Quimby Citations about Giffords. I rest my case. The fact that it is Congressional Race in a strong Democrat Region to replace a Democrat ( who was a hero) is to going to shake up Congress now is it? If I was from Tucson I would be more concerned with replacing the idiot Sheriff who let Loughner run loose after several incidents.
I am certain you have a moving portrait of Giffords right nest to your portrait of Che'
Gabrielle Giffords on Afghanistan, "The most enduring tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 is to make sure Afghanistan never again becomes a safe haven for al Qaeda terrorists and their allies. It was clear to me when I visited Afghanistan in September that this remains a war worth fighting. We went in with a specific military goal: to hunt down the terrorists who had attacked our nation and to remove from power the Taliban who sheltered those terrorists and dispossessed the Afghan people."
It doesn't sound to me like her focus was the "carbon footprint".
Eric,
Maybe you should see her questioning General Petraeous about "renewable energy" plans for Kandahar and the battlefields in Afghanistan. I am certain solar-powered street lights should be a high priority. Face it, she was just aping obama's green energy program.
This race is not important..it would have been held by a democrat either way....MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING!!!
But keep spinning Eric..it's what you do best.
You keep spinning too DownTownJulieBrown, it's indeed what you do best.
Have a pleasant day.
It would seem "ProudAmericanDoucheBag" would be a more appropriate handle.
Why are you here? What is it you would like to achieve?
Just rhetorical questions, we already know the answers.
I'm a republican and I disagree with AmericanVet too. I met Ms Giffords a few years ago and she was a really nice person. What happened to her was a real shame and should be left out of the election this year. The DNC is also guilty of dirty tricks out here. They have been running an ad showing Jesse Kelly making comments about her BEFORE the shooting took place.
Eric,
Yes, Just as they did in Wisconsin..lmfao
I see a lot of Liberals throwing the "You hate" remark around... Unsurprisingly. I still remember the article about Dick Cheney getting his heart transplant, when I looked at the comments below the article, I saw at least 50 Liberals saying that they hoped Cheney would die or have serious pain during his transplant. So tell me, who are the real haters?
Jesus, you idiots, give it a rest already. OPISAFAGNUFFSAID
Random: Cheney influenced and made serious money on decisions that caused the death and severe injury to thousands of American citizens.
Can you say the same on Giffords??Comparing lemons to watermelon.......doesn't work.
By the way, I restrained myself from hitting him while he was down. But, I do understand why he is not loved by some.
Hey Scar... only retarded morons who can't comprehend basic arithmetic don't know that Halliburton is doing better under obama than it EVER did with Bush.
Scar-481986:
How was that performed? Civilians or military?
Sympathy votes.
Proud American, you are an idiot....it should be a "moronic american that contributes to TRUE PROGRESS" And I doubt your a veteran so STFU
PrpudAmerican...you are not an American,...yes you have pride but it is really arrogance.
I was a Republican when Reagan got shot (a member of the Reagan Youth Staff), I remember ll the 'liberals' at my University expressing horror at the shooting, not words applauding it at all. There were many tributes and much concern everywhere.
You are exactly why I left the Republicans and became a Democrat, filthy haters like you make me sick. An American ELECTED Official was shot, in the 'line of duty' meeting her constituents. Party is meaningless in these events, they all deserve our appreciation, prayers and support.
ah, tea partying, ignorant, hateful bunch, go vote for your savior, your theocrat, in his mormon church he's an equivalant to a cardinal by other churches standards. his grandfather moved to mexico where he continue his pologamy practices, that's an honorable family. i'd rather support a kennedy any day of the week. at least they were civil servants in the true sense of the word, not special interest, lobbying for their own personal, financial gain. bushes, cheneys, rove, all in the name of oil, and the dollar. they're truly laughing at the american public for what they were able to achieve financially. all at our expense. now, the mormon church gets to gain from having romney in the country's highest political office. go ahead, great job republicans, really great job.
Do you know how america is now viewed by the rest of the industrial nations ???
We now call america, the nation of medical misery
Republicans are criminals and I will tell you why
BECAUSE 50 000 working americans die EVERY YEAR because they cannot afford health care and because millions are suffering because they cannot get dental care and health care !!!
It is funny how all these right wing morons will go arms in the air when a terrorist kill 3000 of their citizens, but yet, they don't see any problems when their citizens die because they have made health care unavailable to them !
My friend of 48 years died because she could not afford preventive care and she was a working american !
SHAME ON YOU, PEOPLE ! Your country is NOT great, it is the country of medical misery !
Republicans do not care about the masses lives, you don't need a revolution all you have to do is vote all republicans OUT !
HEY POODLE....
One in every six women has been raped but you and your nazi leaders don't mind having the TSA grope them.... along with 2 year olds and 90 year olds...... and you're talking about republicans not caring about the masses??
BWWWAAAAHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
How retarded can a liberal possibly get??
BY THE WAY... Can you please state how many of the cases out of those supposed 50,000 corpses who got that way because of lack of dental care???
...wow... the idiocy of some of these liberals is simply astounding.
As a proud dual service (U.S. Navy, U.S. Army) politically independent combat (OIF 08-09) veteran, I strongly disagree with proudamericanveteran. Gabrielle Giffords was shot while doing what far too few elected representatives of either party do, getting out and hearing the concerns of the people in her district. No way am I not on her side in recovering from the actions of a madman. Since this seat was chosen by a majority of the voters in her district to be Democrat held, I have no issue with it remaining in Democrat control, even if I would probably not vote for Rep. Barber, he was her choice, and I wish him well in representing the people of what is now his district.
Reagan was shot before social media. Since you couldnt figure this out for yourself. Since social media there is now 24/7 coverage of everything you want to know about and not know about. Had it been like this in the 80's we would have had our fill of Reagan getting shot coverage.
There was plenty of coverage of Reagan getting shot. His assassination attempt took place near the beginning of the 24/7 news cycle (whose birth was partly because of the Iranian hostage crisis of a couple of years earlier).
The attempt on Rep. Giffords shared one similarity in that the person who committed the crime was crazy as a $h*t house rat.
That’s fair enough. If Gifford, a Democrat, was not involved in that horrific incident, she would still be representing her constituency. And let me tell you, she was good at her job.
This was a special House election and any other outcome would not have been satisfactory.
Random penn: Liberals always suffer from selective memory when it comes to hate. As you idicated, when Dick Cheney was in the news, there were all kinds of posts from liberals calling for him to die. And I certainly don't recall even a single post from one liberal to another calling for those expressing such sentiments to tone down the rhetoric.
No, liberals it seems are never able to see their own hate, much less their own hypocrisy.
CivilianWarrior Americana:
I think it is hilarious how some people come on these strings and just post the most ignorant stuff. When I read your post I actually laughed a bit at your ignorance. At first I didn't want to reply because I know anything I say won't get through to you, seeming as though fox has already raped, groped, and had their way with your mind, but I decided to reply anyway. What TSA does is so far from groping it's ridiculous. I have had the custom pat down. Truth is it was quick, professional, and they didn't grope my gentials for minutes on end, as some republicans would have you to believe. Would you rather have someone pat your inner thigh, not your genitals, or be blown straight out of the sky to your demise. I know what I would choose.
Civiilwarrior: Yea, but does or did Obama make money from Haliburton??
Even a simpleton like you should know that difference.
Your right though, he escalated the Afghan War profiting Haliburton.
Gabby Giffords demonstrated great strength in her comeback from a devastating injury. Hopefully, someday she'll be back.
Her shoes will be tough to fill for either side.
This is Great news.
The citizens of Arizona "thought" about the GOP's ruthless track record of economically "clobbering" the middle class and the poor. Using wisdom, these Arizonians voted for a Democrat to represent the people. Hopefully, this will offset the horrific display of self-defeatism that occurred in Wisconsin last week, with Walker's managing to cling to his gubernatorial chair.
Obama/Biden 2012!
I don't know about you, but I'm middle class and the Bush tax cuts really did help me. Once again, it is so much fun to demonize Republicans without getting your facts straight. This is the Liberal Way.
Otherwise, I'm happy for Giffords and Barber, good on them, she especially deserves whatever break comes her way. See? We're not all monsters.
Clobbering the middle class and the poor...really? This was a democrat stronghold regardless and I guarantee that Giffords was out assisting as best as she could garnering the emotional vote. This is politics and no matter how sad and unfortunate it is that some sicko decided to do what he did, she was out there to maintain the democrat seat.
^ Smiling!
given it was a close race ... shows that outside money can make a difference ... Million$$ republican backers from across the country ... with the help of foreign governments and their contributions to republican super pacs.. will spend any amount in the hopes of getting THEIR COUNTRY BACK from WE THE PEOPLE ...
Glad they helped you E stop... didn't do a damn thing for me.
Hey E Stoopelgroppen if you are middle class the Bush Tax cuts didnt affect you in any way. The tax cuts that Pres Obama added for the middle class did. Learn your facts if you are going to comment.
This was a special election. We'll see where it goes in November.
It was quite amusing watching MSNBC this morning touting this a a major win for Democrats with such positive implications for November, when last week they brushed off Wisconsin as " just local politics"...
This guy Barber got elected just in time to start running for re-election....Let's see what happens when voter turnout gets up to Presidential year election numbers, in a State that has gone from "toss-up" to "Lean Romney" in the latest polls ....
Dan-629304....(#2.8).....Obama middle class tax cuts ???
Besides the Payroll Tax Holiday, putting less money into the going broke Social Security Fund, what tax cuts are you talking about ??
weasel you will see come nov . demo will take back the house and america will grow again
I don't know why the righties are throwing such a tantrum about Giffords, but I wasn't voting for Congresswoman Giffords, I was voting for Ron Barber.
Stoppelgroppe
It's the right wing way to demonize without getting the facts straight, the left generally is more accurate. Just look around you. And do a little fact checking on your ethically challenged candidate. Take the Bush Tax cuts. If you are middle class they did NOT help you in the least. Unless you consider middle class the top 0.5%. I am middle class, perhaps making less money then you and they did not help at all, in fact there were no tax cuts. And due to federal defunding the local taxes were increased, so we in the real middle class actually ended up paying more.
Homie2624 agreed. republican/teabag foreign money is the selling of America. robot romney, rove, rush are ANTI American...romney has made 3 attempts for President 3; he should be considered a professional candidate, however, he failed. he should watch the people he stomped on the way...lol
romeny and his band of scum will be exposed for their treason...traitors waiting to see how the robot will explain to the Students why Big Oil, trump scum and the rest of the billionaires deserve financail breaks and they do not....pathetic...
OBAMA/BIDEN 2012 the ONLY SANE choice
Ms. Gifford was a proper politician willing to work with both sides so it isn't really surprising that he aide won the election. One would hope he has been inspired by her and will continue to conduct himself in the same manner that won her respect on both sides of the aisle.
redshoes4
Don't get too excited. This election was all about respect for Gabby Gifford and the hope her aide would be of her same disposition. Had nothing to do with anyone approving of the two you are pushing for. World of difference between this classy lady Democrat and the majority of those loons like Harry, Pelosi and the current administration in Washington. January 20, 2013, the END OF AN ERROR!
In addition, a lot of the voters in Arizona gave us Harry back so how much have they learned?
That's a no-brainier. They elected Barber out of respect for Gifford
Yeah, that is Democrats for you. The most unqualified got the job, Barber, - an aid! Can you imagine.
Ah well, what can I say.
Shaking my head-2479300 wrote:
REPLY: "Harry"? Harry who? Do you mean Harry Reid, US Senator .... from Nevada? If so, how did voters in Arizona effect the Nevada US Senate election in 2010?
Oops! You missed the fact it's a liberal district. 9/10th's of AZ agree...obama must go!
You are right on the money jpeg, how do I know this, I unfortunately live in this district, and the Democrats forgot to mention they re-did the lines of this district to make sure more of liberal Pima county was able to vote for their office aide, they did not mention my county (Cochise), where we have an Army base, the Democrat Barber lost our county by almost 3,000 votes, but the bleeding hearts in Pima County more than made up for that, because Tucson is in this district, but things will be different in the state election for US SENATOR, where Maricopa county is a Republican county, and much larger than Pima county.
That anyone would even consider electing a Republican to replace her is the equivalent of saying, "Yes, guns and violence are an effective and acceptable way to get what you want. If you don't like the results of an election, guns can remove the person from power and get someone from 'your side' in."
Obviously Cameron Ford, that is the most ridicuous statement I have seen today ! Please pull your head out of the sand or whatever other "dark place" you are keeping it.
There is no evidence that the shooter of Gabrielle Giffords was politically motivated. Now, I know that President Obama brought out the "civil discourse" statement afterwards, but that also has no relevance.
Democrats are simply USING the emotions surrounding Gabrielle Giffords shooting to try and play the sympathy vote for MR. Barber. The people of Arizona will decide this election.
Cameron, you are obviously talking about the "new black panthers"...a group whose intimidation of voters in Phila PA which was photographed and documented, with them carrying clubs right outside the polling places and calling whites all sorts of racial names, was NEVER interrogated, charged or otherwise called into question by that idiot Holder! Clubs are a very effective weapon as well; they made sure phila's vote was anything BUT honest!
Having said that - the little I know about Gabby I read or gleaned from TV. As a Republican/Independent I liked her and did feel sorry for her. The voters will HOPEFULLY be allowed to have a fair election and make their decision known.
OK, Jim. Seriously. You don't remember the last presidential election with several Republicans giving speeches espousing "second ammendment remedies" being necessary if Republicans didn't win? Gee, why would anyone possibly get the idea that trying to assassinate a member of congress, and having her seat taken over by her opponent might be construed as a successful "second amendment remedy?" Next you guys are going to be posting about how it's Democrats and liberals who are to blame for firearms being so widely available and in the hands of psychopaths. Right? Wait for it.... I can feel a "Fast and Furious" reference coming any minute now (never mind Saint Ronnie directly SELLING our MISSILES to freaking IRAN right after they took our embassy hostage... he gets a pass).
eyes not fully open - Three black guys standing outside a street where voters went - was a wet dream by the Republicans and was disputed - by all of the intelligent media
There is no new Black Panthers - Your link to the imagined world was Faux News and the deceased not to be missed was Andrew Briethhart - stirring up his lies
We're going to miss the imagined world of this liar - but wait his protege - a pimple faced wannabee Sullivan wants to take his place - except he's on probation - for invading a Senator's office
" ... Democrats are simply USING the emotions ... "
You mean like the Right uses hate, fear and bigotry? You can't get any more emotional that that.
Huh, Imagine that.
Cameron.....have you forgotten? Mr. Loughner, the murdering shooter, has admitted he's a radical leftist, who merely got pissed off at Ms. Giffords, because she was too moderate........and so he took out his anger on her and everyone else he could that day. Good grief! Why are liberals always changing the "truth" to suit themselves.....it's getting old.
miss Barbara it was on the news. Yes, they were there. You libs have a very short memory.
C. Ford > >> > > Had Giffords been a Republican, would you have insisted her replacement be, automatically, a Republican?
eyesopen ... when did this happen?... did you find that info on faux .. or maybe hear Beck hallucinateing? its amazeing to see things like this posted ... eyesopentoanythingfullofhate
Poor Mary she only believes the truth can come from Rush
Huh,people who will vote for Romney are stupid and dumb not unless of course to those greedy millionaires and billionaires and wall street vultures that would benefit Romney administration if he wins. Though they already benefit this tax loopholes from the Bush administration that cost U.S.A trillions of dollars giving tax incentives/loopholes to corporates who outsource our jobs to other countries,giving subsidies to china who made business in U.S.A, tax breaks for oil/gasoline investors who profits trillions of dollars that goes to their own pocket or hiding in Swiss bank. Endless of tax loopholes for very rich people who pays less or half of the tax rate with the middle class when Romney and Republicans wins, not to mention yet the unpopular war that the Bush administration created which put Americans more in debt crisis, cost of that war alone is trillions. President Obama inherited all those mess from the Bush administration and yet there are narrow minded Americans expect President Obama to turn around the country like a magician and listens to those foolish and crook Republicans who accused President Obama a failed president? Common sense people, who is a far better President and accomplished significantly the most? Is it the Republican President like the Bushes and Nixon? Or the Democrat Presidents like Clinton (who left big surplus to Bush administration) and President Obama who did an amazing job with over half of his first term alone. In fact, President Obama is one of the best President in the earth.He have done such an amazing job that no President have ever done by killing Osama Bin laden and his successor, saving trillions taxpayers money by ending the war. He pushes the Obama Care which America deserves and should have been for a long time.Without Obama Care people who has a pre existing chronic/acute and serious condition it would be very impossible for anyone to get a healthcare,and countless college student will be no health insurance, and this will be paid by taxing more money to those very rich. This is why the reason it will be a disaster to Republicans if President Obama will get a second term because President Obama will tax more the very rich to give a fair share to our citizens.It is nonsense that middle class and hardworking americans were paying more tax rate than those very rich like Wall Street people,Romney and those corporates getting tax loopholes outsourcing our jobs to other countries.And yes, no more tax loopholes and no more additional trillions pockets for oil business. Now,if you ask yourself about what will happen to our country if Romney will be the president? It will be a disaster! Get the facts, and do serious research how bad he was governing one state where we lived when he was a governor in Massachusetts. Romney governed badly one state already and gush if we will talk about Romney governing the whole country? God of all God please don`t let it happen. Also Romney himself has his own Solyndra using secretly taxpayers money to invest and went bankrupt just like how he handles when he was at Bain Capital. Solyndra was funded and started by the Bush administration.Republicans will go way out of stupid lies and manipulate everything they can to prevent President Obama and Democrats to sit in the house because it would mean misery to them and subtraction to their loopholes. America will cripple severely in the hands of Romney and Republican politician.
Gabby was as pro gun as it gets.... that happens when you're an ARIZONAN. (I so hate it when people get it wrong and say arizonian.... same goes for Tucson) Anyway, I'm glad to see Gabby doing as well as she is, as I respect her. But Barber is absolutely NOT Gabby. Oh well, what's done is done. And it doesn't surprise me. Just hope when they redraw district 8, they leave me out.
plsthnk90
You didn't read the comment....it was faked...yes it was on the news...Fox News....it was faked!
the shooter was a liberal dumbass
Cameron: You are a silly thing; you are.
Just get Congress to Pass the American Jobs ACT. We all know the jobs here at home are needed. Republicans can say Obama is not doing enough. But with Republicans in Congress not passing this ACT they are throwing us all under the Bus. To control the Oval office. Just sick.
Glad that Seat went to DEMS in AZ
You mean that's not what the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the 2nd amendment?
When the American Jobs Act is written to cover all Americans, not just a coveted union group..it will pass.
BTW....It was a DEM seat in the first place. The Governor could have appointed a replacement but left it until it was brought to a vote.
I'm sure my "crazy" brother will vote for the dem in tucson Only dem in the family and has some really crazy ideas....
yes from birth to earth...let the Government take care of me. Great ideas...lets think about that shall we?
I know right? We're talking reaaaaally crazy stuff huh, like....hmmm....perhaps cleaner air for our children to breathe...and hmmmm....less tax breaks for the billionaires....and, let's see, what else.....OH, there's all that funny talk about better education instead of education CUTS, but who needs that. And that crazy lady in the white house, always talking about growing your own vegetables and wanting to teach the kids in this country to be active and live healthy instead of being obese like 85% of Americans, sheeeesh, what the hell is she thinking!
@Holly. As a former republican from a republican household, I'd just like to tell your brother that it gets better.
Obama winning Arizona would take more corruption than manny pacquiao's loss this last weekend to Tim Bradley.
Doh doh romney is a pathetic excuse for representing amerca....
Obama is a pathetic excuse for representing America.
but he is evolving.....who know's...a few million years and he might be ready for another try.
150 Fundraisers and counting!
Crystal-569996:
You seem to have a habit of just shouting random, incorrect stuff on these strings. I mean, some people would be trying to have a sensible conversation about some type of disputed fact, or someones view of something and you just come on here, and shout some completely insane, incorrect, out of the way thing. It's pretty annoying. So, quite frankly, STFU, or provide some facts to go along with your ludacris outbursts.
Ok, it isn't random anymore, Obama is a lame, blood sucking piece of crap.
For someone that calls themselves a genius, you can't spell worth crap, try ludicrous next time, and they are called threads, not strings, oh genius one, lmfao.
It's in a democratic congressional district....Democrats are grasping if they think this is a "win" for them....It's been a democratic seat for quite sometime....and even if the man in the moon were running...it would stay a democratic seat.
Democrats are doing anything they can to try to spin an off-set of what happened to them in Wisconsin.
I find it hilarious....Obama and the democrats are imploding....and it's so fun to watch.
Sorry sweetheart, nice try. This ain't a Democatic district which is why Gabby Giffords made history when she won there.
Ozzie, Maybe you should try actually reading the article. If you get stuck on the big words let me know. I will come back and help you. Even MSNBC states that it is a democrat district.
PROUD: I've read enough of your posts to know that you border on the semi-illiterate. I doubt you can even help yourself. It's all you can do to read the big pictures in Rupert Murdoch's fine publication, The N.Y. Post.
What they said was that AFTER redistricting it would lean more Democratic.
Romney is imploding. He refuses to engage the press or give any specifics on his economic and jobs plans.
Why doesn't Romney hold a press conference and take some tough questions.
I'm in Tucson. This area is comparatively liberal. It's when you get near the Phoenix area that things get really crazy and conservative due to all the rich retirees from out of state. That is where you will find Sheriff Joe OurPieHole, Gov. CryptKeepersMother, and the rest of the lunatic fringe we call our "leaders".
Eric, You are grasping desperately at straws. With every new poll, Romney seems to gain another % point or two. Even here, on this liberal website, the talk has been about Obama's recent "we are doing fine" gaffe, how he failed to give any effort to the Wisconsin election.... and how he continues to slip and spin. The last two weeks have been bad for the Obama camp.
Obama is self-destructing ! Why should Romney do anything other than .............. watch !
Eric...this article is NOT about Romney..it's about a congressional house seat that is vacant in a democratic area of Tuscon...and it is up to the voters in that district to elect a representative.....
THE SEAT BELONGS TO NO ONE BUT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA....PERIOD.
@Jim, its pretty hard to "implode" when your sheltered from the press.
Julie, NO....the seat belongs to the people of Arizona.....period. It's not a national election.
Downtown...What an idiot you are, it had been a Republican seat for years until she won in 2008. Please learn to read. In 2010 the Republicans lost the seat by just 4000 votes.Read. Learn then spout lest you change from being thought a fool to removing all doubt.
And PRoudAmerican you are one sick puppy...Seriously ill.
julie ozzie boy is right!It would be to your advantage to know some facts before you post.
Julie - wrong again - where do you make up your lies? Tuscon is not a Democrat stronghold and actually Gabby Gifford was critized by the left to be too right leaning
Geez Woman - you have no knowledge or facts when you post
You are prabably the most uninformed person here - gibberish over and over aqain
Downtown's ignorance and stupidity is only exceeded by her? vicious hate mongering (assuming that she is in fact female).
hey proud american do you know how to read. did you passs fifth grade. the seat was republican for years before gabbie won it idiot
Don't know what you are smoking Barb but lay off a little. Tuscon may not be a democrat stronghold, but TUCSON is!
go KELLY!........throw all the dems out.........
trust me. If the Democrat wins you will hear continuous speeches and commentary on MSNBC about how this is a decisive victory for President Obama and the Democratic Party. They will be gushing all over themselves. Write down some of the names here. Those are the ones that will be shouting what a great and game changing victory it is.
PROUD: And as if your crowd would react any differently??? That's the nature of politics.
Proud if all you want to hear is good things about Republicans then tune in Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, or watch FOX news.
Eric.. I just like the truth. Maybe wisdom and experience through age help see through all of the BS you buy into it but not I. Appreciate and respect your passion but try and temper it with common sense. Apparently you are too young to have been bitten enough times or hear the same speech over and over by the politician who guarantee to make your life better if you vote for them. For me, I have been listening to all of this party line crap since Johnson. after 4 years of Jimmy Carter I turned conservative and stick with my beliefs, not what a party hack tells me too.
Ah but Proud, Romney has been giving the same speeches since 2004. Seems like you buy into his BS all the time.
Actually, Eric your wrong. Romney has been changing his position depending upon the audience for decades.
That's why , proudamericanvet , by his own description, should dislike Romney as a choice to vote for. He probably supported a alternative to Romney earlier this year if he knew Romney's history.
So Romney's won, and he becomes a party hack. Even though he knows Romney has been for Pro Abortion, Gun Control, and centralized heath care.
Go Figure???
Funny, some of you seem to think MSNBC/NBC is in the pocket of liberals. All week long I've been seeing constant replay of Obama's gaffe on the private sector "doing fine". Yeah. So "liberal biased". Any rate, a bad week for Team Obama, but I can't wait for a debate between Romney and him. Remember when Obama went to the Lions Den, a room full of Republicans, espousing pure made up crap at him, and he single handedly served them all and made them look like idiots? Then they all whined about how they weren't going to be made to look like fools again. Yeah. I can't wait for the spanking Mittens is going to get when someone actually forces him to answer his bullshrimp. I'd wager Mitty's team is 50/50 on participating in any debates. They do much better lobbing BS from the sidelines and not having to face any fact checking.
The Prez is stepping in so much poo of his own making and handily defeating himself quite well.
He has learned from Joe how to make a fool of himself by showing his incompetence and failure in understanding the economy and unemployment, intentionally of course.
He is on his way out for good thankfully because of failed policies and leadership, intel leaks, Fast N Foolish, Solyndra, out of control spending and a crushing debt and too much more too mention.
Proudamericanveteran:
Oh my goodness!!! That is sheer hypocrisy. Do you see how he seems to be pointing it out as if it's something that he's noticed only on the other side of the isle. Fox would do the exact same thing, and so would the extreme right wing media. The only difference is, there's would be 1000 times worse. Hypocrisy is alive and well in proudamericanveteran's head.
If she's replaced by a Republican candidate, does the gunman ultimately win?
Seriously, you didn't ask that senseless question....... wow.....
jorlwebb,
Then we all win.
The big corporations win.
Are you implying that Loughner was a republican? Surely you're not that stupid, and have actually paid attention, and know that he was a rotten spoiled coddled little rat whose parents ignored what they were told by Pima College. And that he had some personal vendetta against Gabby. And that people like him hardly pay attention to politics, instead beleiving the voices in their heads.
No, Sarah Palin does.
Didn't she end up getting somewhat mentally debilitated from this? It's a shame what happened to her. Emotions aside, is she still the best candidate for the job though?
She resigned. This is a special election to fill her seat.
Opinionated High horse.
Yes, even with all the brain damage, she is still superior to all other Democrats.
Yes, that's how bad they really are. There's dogs, then monkeys, then Democrats, then Giffords. In that order.
"Yes, even with all the brain damage, she is still superior to all other Republicans."
"Yes, that's how bad they really are. There's: dogs, then monkeys, then Rethuglicans, then Giffords, Democrats, President Obama. In that order."
Fixed.
Stop wasting someones money and get back to work!
Lord knows we are All sad for these 2 innocent people who were shot by a Crazy man!
However, it is sad the Voters will vote for sympathy instead of what is best for Arizona and our country!
I can see by the tally of results that Arizonians have indeed voted for the better of your country. Congratulations!
patty virginia beach you are a sick as****e
I see you got the e-mail. Good for you!
So let me get this straight. If you do not vote for a Republican then you
A) Hate your Country
B) Are a Marxist, Fascist,Communist
C) You are some how incapable of making a clearly right CHOICE
D) You are an Atheist, God hating person
E) You have no morals or common sense, because you don't have just to hate
F) You eschew Fox News for real Media Outlets
Or you just do NOT have the right to vote the way that YOU want and should have your voting rights taken away until you learn how to put on a brown shirt and get in lockstep with the rest of only people that matter. Have I got that?
TiredVoter-951582
That is the BEST POST that I have read on this thread! Kudos!!
Let just see if the "Silent Majority" votes in earnest in AZ today. They rose up in WI and gave Walker a bigger win in the recall, than he had in the actual gubernatorial election.
This race would only be interesting if the "Silent Majority" did come out to vote. Otherwise, seems like a shoe in for Barber.
Taxpayers are fed up with having their money taken and given to others as political bribes.
Silent majority? If you mean all our Hispanics and Natives?
I would love it! Dems would win in a huge landslide. Like 30 points.
But if you are trying to refer to the Pubs as "silent", you must be on another planet.
Actually the vote 'for Walker' in Wisconsin was of two mindsets. those who actually supported Walker and those who oppose the idea of recall all together.
How much of each, we really don't know.
Tell the truth, Walker didn't "win" in Wisconsin, he just didn't lose what he already had. Repubs spent 8 times as much as the dems did and still lost control of the state senate.
Bottom line: Repubs lost in Wisconsin, no more rubber stamp legislature for Walker.
Yes Rick...Dem's gained control of the Senate that will not be in session again until after the next election...BIG WIN! With the redistricting....they'll lose it again anyway.
Ivan from NC. When did The Last Presidents deficit spending take off like a rocket? It surely wasnt the 1st term. Nor the the 1st half of the second. It wasduring the 2nd half of the last term. Which was when Both Chambers of Congress were under Democratic majority.
Rancho
1st term...1st half second term....2nd half last term.....
Why not make it less complicated......who signed those spending bills?
next!
Thats some real Regressive Liberal Democratic Logic there b dune. You do realize The Current President is blamming the opposition majoritive House for all his woes currently let alone what The Last President did with his parties majority in the wainning of his last term, dont you?
Why didn't you just answer the question "Ranchero"?
Who signed the "spending bills"?
Even someone with limited deductive reasoning as yourself should be able to answer it - just give us the name!
Yeah so, The last President laid down to the opposition party. He owns the record for fewest vetos of a 2 term President.
And this post has what to do with the election in the article?
Stick to the topic
Rancho - get with the program - Bush did not put the wars on the books nor did he put Medicare Part D on the books - alias called deficit spending
When Obama took office all of the expenses were now figured in with the deficit
Comprede Amigo?
Now one more time Obama - could have left them off but that is dishonest - and he promised transperacy and you got it now you blame him for this?
Wow Rancho is dumb! A complete lack of facts!
Huh,people who will vote for Romney are stupid and dumb not unless of course to those greedy millionaires and billionaires and wall street vultures that would benefit Romney administration if he wins. Though they already benefit this tax loopholes from the Bush administration that cost U.S.A trillions of dollars giving tax incentives/loopholes to corporates who outsource our jobs to other countries,giving subsidies to china who made business in U.S.A, tax breaks for oil/gasoline investors who profits trillions of dollars that goes to their own pocket or hiding in Swiss bank. Endless of tax loopholes for very rich people who pays less or half of the tax rate with the middle class when Romney and Republicans wins, not to mention yet the unpopular war that the Bush administration created which put Americans more in debt crisis, cost of that war alone is trillions. President Obama inherited all those mess from the Bush administration and yet there are narrow minded Americans expect President Obama to turn around the country like a magician and listens to those foolish and crook Republicans who accused President Obama a failed president? Common sense people, who is a far better President and accomplished significantly the most? Is it the Republican President like the Bushes and Nixon? Or the Democrat Presidents like Clinton (who left big surplus to Bush administration) and President Obama who did an amazing job with over half of his first term alone. In fact, President Obama is one of the best President in the earth.He have done such an amazing job that no President have ever done by killing Osama Bin laden and his successor, saving trillions taxpayers money by ending the war. He pushes the Obama Care which America deserves and should have been for a long time.Without Obama Care people who has a pre existing chronic/acute and serious condition it would be very impossible for anyone to get a healthcare,and countless college student will be no health insurance, and this will be paid by taxing more money to those very rich. This is why the reason it will be a disaster to Republicans if President Obama will get a second term because President Obama will tax more the very rich to give a fair share to our citizens.It is nonsense that middle class and hardworking americans were paying more tax rate than those very rich like Wall Street people,Romney and those corporates getting tax loopholes outsourcing our jobs to other countries.And yes, no more tax loopholes and no more additional trillions pockets for oil business. Now,if you ask yourself about what will happen to our country if Romney will be the president? It will be a disaster! Get the facts, and do serious research how bad he was governing one state where we lived when he was a governor in Massachusetts. Romney governed badly one state already and gush if we will talk about Romney governing the whole country? God of all God please don`t let it happen. Also Romney himself has his own Solyndra using secretly taxpayers money to invest and went bankrupt just like how he handles when he was at Bain Capital. Solyndra was funded and started by the Bush administration.Republicans will go way out of stupid lies and manipulate everything they can to prevent President Obama and Democrats to sit in the house because it would mean misery to them and subtraction to their loopholes. America will cripple severely in the hands of Romney and Republican politician.
And where exactly did it go? It wasn't held for obama to pay for.
The war was paid for with continuing resolutions, just as it is now. You do realize we have been without a budget since odumbo took control right. So by your logic, everything is off the books!
Mr. Obama, our president brings to mind that old Hall and Oates song, "Out of Touch"
"Do as I say, not as I do"
"What I meant to say was............. "
(We've heard those 6 words more times under this president than any before.... :)
We can't take 4 more years trapped on the Island of a Bad Economy
We need a new coach. One who knows how to produce a winner.
Excuses, finger pointing and the blame game.....just don't get it done.
We're living each day Mr. Obama's results of being elected President......
NO MORE Years!
Nuf C Nuf !
And the gop/teabaggers have done SOOOOOOO much for the economy.
Why haven't they passed the jobs bill ?
All they want is to keep Obama from being re-elected.
Gop/teabaggers do not care about our country.
Considering the minority party does not have the power to do much......what's your point?
Did the democrats not do everything for years to prevent Bush from being reelected? Are they not doing everything possible now to prevent a Republican from being elected? Stop with the worn-out senseless talking points.
all4, well, then produce a candidate that can do better than Obama. It isn't Romney. You almost had a chance with Huntsman. Too bad.
A monkey could do a better job than obama. Oh...wait a minute...
@jpeg... racism is alive and well in your world I see.
To some of the older people, the younger and honest thinkers out there: Kelly is reported to have said "...calling Social Security and Medicare Ponzi schemes." well, lets be honest - the SS and Medicare programs ARE guilty as charged. They relied on more people entering the labor pool than living to use those benefits. Therein lies the problem today...people are living longer. I am not advocating changing that fact! The Government moved those funds SS anyway) into the general fund in order to use them for something other than designed. I am NOT blaming any party as all took part, but the people who made the money paid for others (like when, in a ponzi scheme when new money pays high yields for the original investors), the government had free use of the "new" influx of funds. They were counting on the labor pool constantly growing, which we know is a false assumption, while spending money designed for programs which were to be untouchable.
I don't care who was President as it required both houses to pass any and all legislation which used these funds.
Finally my point. Why would anyone use this as a scare attic to scare older people when it is true? Does Kelly have NO morals? I get sick of hearing this - it seems to be a common theme among both parties though I feel it is used more by Dems. Kelly should be taken aside and slapped aside the head as should anyone else (including nobama) who uses these tactics.
This is not a scare tactic. What he said was true. Johnson removes SS from it's "lock box" and put the funds into the general fund which has us trying to figure out now how to fix it. Johnson did this with a Dem congress in 1965 and the repubs had no way to stop him.
But it sure did not stop them from going to the trough and spending like sailors on a drunken holiday now did it? Don't try to make out like they have no mud on their hands, ALL OF THEM DO!!! They all took the money and RAN!!!
"Gabby" took a bullet while doing a " town hall' type of "getting together with the people." Where was her secret service? "Oh, we know that answer"... She was fearless........and it cost her something that she liked, serving our country. Young and very trusting...she was immortal, going to live forever. Only to be popped by a bullet, by a nut job. Thank God for her staff who reacted quickly that day .
Congressmen don't get a secret service detail.
Thank you Bullett171, the level of ignorance about our government and who gets what scares me to no end.
Imagine how waking up after the election and realizing we had to deal with another term of Mr. Obama's lack of leadership, a stagnant economy, and his excuses would feel....
Nightmare on Main Street 2!
We're living part 1 now! :)
NO THANKS!
NUF C NUF !
Yea? Well you had better be damned well ready for it as it is a highly probable likelihood.
The writer of the article seems schocked that a democrat candidate needs to distance himself from Obama - doesn't THAT say it ALL!!
JONATHAN: Congress people do this all the time, especially if they are running in a district that leans conservative and/or the candiated is a Blue Dog Democrat.
Kind of like no one in your party wants to be caught dead with Dubya. Do you think we'll see Willard campaining with him this summer? Not on your life. And I wonder why Mittens is only doing those softball interviews of the Faux Noise channel? Evidently his handlers are keeping him miles aware from REAL journalists working for REAL news channels, not Roger Ailes pathetic immitation of a news organization.
@sonmanvb,
That is what I SAID...it is true. Re-read the comment pls.
I just came from voting in this special election.
Something I think no one else here can say.
I can also say that for the first time in my life I voted Republican.
Obama is way too far to the left for me or anyone else of good conscience to not place as many road blocks as possible to try and offset his incompetence and corruption.
I voted today for Jesse Kelly because Obama is actually worse that George W Bush.
brought to you by another proud owner of the stars and bars flag..................
Congratulations! You voted for a failing party of ideals and lost! Aren't you so glad your statesmen/women saved your hide and voted Democrat?!
At least now with that seat secured to a Democrat again you won't have to be drafted to fight the good fight oversees against Syria, sponsored by corporations like Wal-Mart and Exxon! If this is appealing to you vote for Romney!
Obama/biden 2012
Hellearn I am proud of my Confederate Heritage. That does not make me a racist in any way. I abhor those who have adopted a version of the Confederate Flag as a symbol for their hate groups.
FYI I am a Democrat and voted for Obama.
Isn't "confederate heritage" like saying "I am proud to be a member of the KKK ?"
Take your BS somewhere else.
The North WON and you nitwits in the South can't let it go.
Please... how long ago was it ?
No President we ever had is worse than bush.
Victor, it seems that you think this was a national election instead of an election for the best Representative for your district.
It wasn't a national election. It was local and if you couldn't see that, read that in the news, or even ask someone if it was a national election then I wonder if you voted for the person you thought best qualified to serve the people of Southern Arizona or for a person who you thought would impede the most in Congress.
And I'm not saying it's just Republicans that do that, it's also Democrats.
When you vote in an election that's supposed to be local, make sure you vote for the person you think is most qualified. I'm truely sorry you voted against the President instead of for the person you think might represent you the best.
The bible says that if both sides are fighting for along time they are both wrong... the issues are the most Important thing not the hate of babble that come out of some of us remember, we need answers to our problems, jobs, healthcare, when someone attacks someone else they are only playing into the spirit of evil and Satan loves this so lets keep it a debate of honorable words to one another so that it is blessed by our god Vote for Obama he has a detailed plan for the future of America Unfortunatelly Romney is very vague.
Clearly this conversation needs more religion. I mean, what good is Seperation of Church and State if we can't vote for someone like Romney to lead us in daily prayer as President?
Shouldn't be too hard to find another brain dead Democrat to replace Giffords. They're everywhere.
Yep, but the good thing, they are SHRINKING as odumbo took care of that!
Well, Gabby Giffords is gone from office. Her tenure remedied in a second-amendment manner...
....by someone that was a registered democrat at one point.
Registered Independent. Fact checking people, Fact checking!!
Keck is a true rightie; virtually everything he says is a lie!
The Republicans only road to the White House is through
Voter suppression, Fear, threats
The Republicans are just puppets for the Rich , KOCH Brothers
Sure glad all you Middle Class Republicans are going to be paying for your Rich Republican Tax Cuts for the Rich only care about their 1% and no one else
They want to make sure they pay no taxes and pass on all cost of government to the Middle Class that's You Middle Class Republicans too
So vote Republican and cut your own throat they sure have you fooled
No, let's keep voting for communist liberals. That's fine, right? Go study your history and then come back and try to be somewhat intelligent, if you can!
The democrats road to the white is for illegals, prison inmates, and corpses to vote. Also, hijacking voter ballots as in Minnesota.
And now Florida...
Yup...where 9 out of 10 dead people vote democrat.
Sad that Dems continue to use Giffords every chance they can, why can't they just leave her alone. I also feel that Gabby's husband misses the spotlight, there's something about him that's not likeable. Gabby may look well, but noticed they don't often show her completely. Her arm and leg are very damaged along with her speech. She's been amazing in her recovery but she will never be what she use to be despite all the pressure to be. She needs to just count her blessings of being alive and LIVE her life well out of the public eye.
Not one person ever pressured this amazing woman to stay in the House. Everyone has been 100% supportive of her decisions to retire. Any decision to endorse the winning Democrat was hers alone. I think you mean that you personally want her to go away.